2017 is the year of upside-down Christmas trees, and the internet is losing it

Okay, everybody. Thanksgiving is over; we've stuffed our faces with turkey, gotten drunk with our families, told stories of the pilgrims ad nauseum. As we all awaken from our food comas, bleary-eyed and unaware of what day it is, it's finally time to acknowledge the inevitable: Christmas is upon us.

From hereon in until January, it's Mariah Carey and Christmas cardigans; bright baubles and festive food. But what I find is it's the same thing, pretty much year-in, year-out. Christmas has been celebrated for decades, and apart from the odd Christmas movie or advert, the things on offer have barely changed.

So how do I make Christmas 2017 that little bit better? Maybe the solution is upside-down Christmas trees.

Yeah, it sounds kind of ridiculous in concept, but hear me out on this one. It's going to be a bit of an engineering challenge, but I think it's just crazy enough to work. So where did this strange Christmas idea materialise? I have a pretty good idea it came from the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California.

Other hotels soon followed suit, including the Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair, London. The Claridge's tree was made in collaboration with German fashion designer Karl Lagerfield, who said: “Christmas trees are the strongest ‘souvenir’ of my happy childhood.”

The general manager at Claridge's also weighed in, saying he was "honoured and delighted" that Lagerfield chose to design their tree. “We believe this magical take on his childhood memories captures the spirit of the season perfectly and adds a sense of fun and glamour to our lobby," he added.

Before long, we were seeing the upside-down tree all over the world, in malls, in homes, even at Target!

So apparently, upside down Christmas trees are definitely a thing you can buy. 2017 continues to throw up surprises, doesn't it? Well, what's the thinking about these avant-garde festive shubberies? Is this a tribute to the amazing second season of Stranger Things (let's forget about episode seven for a little while)? Copywriter Ben Stephens‏ attempted to explain in a tweet.

Apparently, the benefit of an upside-down Christmas tree is that you can better show off your ornaments, and it's not so much of a disaster when your cat inevitably attempts to bring it down. Every time, Mr Mittens. Leave the tree alone!

Of course, it wouldn't be 2017 if some news outlet on a slow news day didn't use the upside-down Christmas tree as a political point. On this occasion, it was Fox News, who seemingly find a new thing every year that "declares war" on Christmas.

Corey Lewandowski, ousted campaign manager of the successful Trump 2016 campaign, was very clear about whether or not the president would have an upside-down tree in the White House, saying: "I can be sure that the First Family will not be turning their Christmas tree upside down. They love this country and our traditions."

Well there you have it folks. Whether you think they're a fancy and convenient way to literally turn your Christmas decorations on their head or that it's a symbol of everything that will one day seek to destroy America, the upside-down Christmas tree is here. I can't wait to get one.